Esther's Legacy

Tribute to Columbine

2009-04-23T12:11:00.002-05:00

This was emailed to me by a friend and I wanted to pass it on:

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent t his man as a voice crying in the wilderness.

The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need! "

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational Systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.

What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your Own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless!

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Western Wall Prayer Today

2009-04-08T15:22:00.002-05:00

From Sarah Tyler in Israel:

"Shalom, Prayer Warriors,

I awoke this morning at dawn. I watched as the Jewish people walked to the synagogue near my home for their morning prayers. As you know from news reports and the message I sent a couple of days ago, this morning was different. They prayed a special prayer of blessing to the Lord for creation. Below is part of an article about the thousands who gathered at the Western Wall this morning. The link for the entire article is included.

I've also included a copy of two articles from today's ICEJ report. One of them tells of an amazing story that relates to this very special time of year. The other tells of a massive exercise to prepare for war will be held this summer in Israel. War is closer on the horizon than ever before. Hear the rumbling in the heavens!

Blessings to all of you from the Galilee,
Sarah"

"50,000 participate in rare prayer ritual for sun at Western Wall" (click on the link below)

www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1077398.html

[I'll post the other article that she mentioned later so this isn't so long.]
Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

White House Confirms it Got 2 million Red Envelopes

2009-04-08T14:54:00.004-05:00

White House confirms it got 2 million red envelopes

President's mail worker claims letter campaign 1 of largest in 35 years

Posted: April 06, 20098:21 pm Eastern

The White House mail office has confirmed it received a "deluge" of as many as 2.25 million red envelopes symbolizing the empty promise of lives snuffed out in abortion in a massive campaign that was larger than most White House mailing movements in the last 35 years.

White House mail worker "Steve" has handled letters for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. for more than three decades. Every single package and letter destined for the White House goes through his office. Asked if he has seen a flood of red envelopes bound for the White House, Steve chuckled."Uh, yes," he said emphatically.

"Believe me, they made it here," Steve said. While Obama has been occupied in Europe, his administration has noticed millions of red envelopes on behalf of aborted children. "Quite frankly, there was definitely a deluge of mail coming through," he laughed. "I had to handle them all." "I've been here 35 years, so I've seen presidents come and go," Steve told WND. "This campaign ranks up there with the big ones.

"The Red Envelope Project is an idea sparked in the mind and prayers of a Massachusetts man, Christ Otto, who envisioned in January thousands of red envelopes sent to the White House, a visual expression of moral outrage over the president's position on abortion. On the backs of the envelopes, senders wrote a message Otto composed: "This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception."

The original project began small, but when Otto sent out an email to friends asking them to join him in the envelope effort, the symbolic gesture spread through the Internet like wildfire – eventually resulting in delivery of as many as 2.25 million red envelopes." Last Tuesday 2.25 million were sent all together," Otto told WND. "There were 1 million sent before that date. I keep getting e-mails, and I know that people are still sending them. This past weekend, there were at least 10,000 more sent just from churches announcing it on Sunday.

"The Catholic News Agency reports that a consortium of 11 different student groups at the University of Notre Dame, in protest of the university's invitation of Barack Obama to speak at graduation, plan to hand deliver a surge of the red envelopes to the pro-abortion president when he arrives to give the commencement address in May.

Otto said he expected no response from the White House. "On Thursday their goal is to remove the conscience clause on physicians," he said "so, they don't want any press." However, WND was successful in confirming that the red envelopes did arrive.

Asked if he hopes President Obama will be influenced by the campaign Otto said, "I really hope that he is seeing them. I know that somebody in Washington is seeing them, for whatever that's worth. I do hope that it changes the president's heart." He continued, "I also know that there are many people in our government – in both political parties – who believe that life and freedom are controlled by the state. They want to control who lives and who dies. So, it's not just the president, but there are lots of people in Washington who need to know that this was an important thing and that they are out of step with the people.

"The Red Envelope Project has been provided with letters to cease and desist because it allegedly infringes upon trademark and copyright of another organization, but Otto said the campaign will comply with copyright issues and continue its work once the legal matters have been resolved. Details of the new campaign have not been released.

Nonetheless, Otto said the Red Envelope campaign was a resounding success." It has made a difference, regardless of what happened in Washington," he said. "Just the numbers of children that have been involved are huge. It's gotten a lot of people talking about the value of life. To me, that's priceless."

From: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94142

[Note by editor: this is using the internet for good...spreading the word to get this organized!!Also, my son is 21 and I showed him the envelopes and we did on from him. He was very excited when I told him how many people sent envelopes.]

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

"Birkat Hachama" Prayer-Once Every 28 Year Prayer.

2009-04-05T15:46:00.002-05:00

Jews Around World to Greet Sun with Once-in-28-Year Prayer
(From the Haaretz-April 5, 2009)

Hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world will awake before dawn on Wednesday, climb to high vantage points and wait for the sun as they recite a prayer said only once every 28 years. For many of the participants, this will be their first time reciting the "Birkat Hachama" prayer, which according to Jewish tradition, marks the sun's return to its starting point at the moment the universe was created, after completing a 28-year cycle known as the "machzor gadol," or "large cycle." The last prayer was held in April 1981. At the time, Haaretz correspondent Akiva Eldar described throngs of Jerusalemites ascending to the Western Wall Plaza 3 A.M. to recite the prayer.

This year, however, the blessing has added significance, as it falls on Passover Eve, a sign some observant Jews interpret as a potential harbinger of a redemptive event of cosmic proportions. Yeshivas in the capital are holding special sessions to interpret the significance of the event. At the Kahal Hasidim yeshiva, posters promise "a comprehensive lesson accompanied by an enormous model of the zodiac and constellations, according to the renowned expert on the stars' positions and heavenly bodies, Rabbi Mordechai Ganot, may he live long." Ganot and other speakers fill auditoriums. He said "many questions remain" over "the thesis of a certain Polish priest named Copernicus," but emphasized, "Anyone who believes in the new system is not considered a heretic."

According to the Babylonian Talmud, the Sun was created on the fourth day of creation. Because Jewish law considers a day to span from evening to evening, the beginning of the halachic fourth day occurs at sundown Tuesday evening. The 28-year-cycle therefore begins and ends at the exact point in time when the sun was created, and the sun only returns to this position once every 28 years. Does this tradition receive any support from modern astronomical knowledge? Prof. Ariel Cohen of the Hebrew University's Department of Atmospheric Sciences said, "If the length of the year was as they thought it was 2,000 years ago - that is, 365 and a quarter days - then 28 years would indeed be an accurate cycle.

But based on knowledge of the year's length gained in the past few hundred years, 'Birkat Hachama' is an embarrassing tradition, testifying to a complete, blatant and intentional disconnect from modern science." Cohen also took issue with the Scriptural decree to recite the prayer at the beginning of spring, saying that because the calendar in use today is vastly different from the one used in the past, the "tradition contradicts every astronomical principle today, and even the Hebrew calendar, as it is now used."
------------------
I saw a huge banner hanging downtown this morning. I could understand enough of the Hebrew to know it was announcing something special on Wednesday. To fill my curiosity, upon my return home, I searched and found the above article in today's newspaper. Wednesday's sunrise is another sign and wonder to the Jewish people. In Luke 21, the Lord speaks about how such signs in the heavens point towards His soon coming. As we all know, no one, except the Father, knows the day and hour. But with every sign the Father reveals, we are closer than ever before to the Lord's appearing.

If ever, please, hear me, if ever, we are to be alert, it's now. We don't need the signs and wonders to know that with every passing day, we are closer to His coming. But the Lord does give us such signs, if for no other reason but to mark history.

As countless numbers here in Israel will rise early Wednesday so they will be alert and watchful for the sunrise, may we, as watchmen on the walls, be vigilant about the Father's business!

Thank you for your continued financial support, your continued prayers, and your continued commitment to see the Lord's harvest field prepared for the largest harvest possible for His Kingdom.

With many blessings from the Galilee,

Sarah Tyler

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Webcams on the Western Wall

2009-03-31T17:25:00.002-05:00

A very awesome website: http://english.thekotel.org/cameras.asp (be sure not to add in the www, it won't work with it in). There is a live webcam of the western wall in Jerusalem, tunnels, galleries and also Kotel News:
"Passover Holiday Events 2009, at the Western Wall ";
"Mass Assembly for Birkat Hachama at the Western Wall";
"Swearing- in Ceremony for IDF Recruits march 24th ";

Click on the site and enjoy the tour. Thank you, Sarah Tyler, for introducing it to me!

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Wednesday Prayer

2009-03-29T19:51:00.003-05:00

Every Wednesday at 12 noon central time, Billye Brim is holding worldwide prayer. We are praying for the Awakening in America to awaken to God and praying for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel. She holds prayer for an hour and it is a live streaming video. Then right after that there is live streaming video from Northern Ireland and that prayer is for an hour. Join in!! Go to www.billyebrim.org every Wed. at 12 noon central!!

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Red Envelope Day

2009-03-29T19:39:00.006-05:00

It is an event where on March 31 everyone who opposes abortion and wants to let President Obama know about it will send a Red envelope addressed to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back you should write:
"This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because that was unable to offer anything to our world. Responsibility begins with conception!"

This is a great way for all pro-life people to let Pres. Obama know that we don't approve of killing innocent babies.

Spread this to all your friends and send an envelope this Tuesday!!

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Purim is Celebrated This Week!

2009-03-12T08:43:00.003-05:00

This week is a very special celebration called Purim. It comes from the book of Esther when all the Jewish people were set up to be destroyed, but God used Esther to get it turned around. I attend a Pentacostal church where the pastor is Jewish and he is wonderfully teaching us about our Jewish heritage---very important since we are grafted in because of our "father" Abraham. My Pastor talked Sunday about the celebration as being a turn around. Then Sunday afternoon I visited a local synagogue that I never even knew existed. They were open to the public that day and had tables set up depicting the different Jewish holidays. And there was a table for Purim. Below is a list of what is going on this week. As for me, I'm rereading the book of Esther and declaring my own turn around and the turn around of our nation to awaken to God.

Shabbos Zachor
Saturday, March 7 which is 11 Adar
Special Torah Reading - Parshas Zachor - to be heard by all members of the family - men, women and children.

Taanis Esther
Monday, March 9 which is 13 Adar
We fast from 3 hours before daybreak until after nightfall.
Half-Shekel.

Purim Eve
Monday Night, March 9 which is 14 Adar
After nightfall, during the Maariv/Arvit services, the Megilla is read from a parchment scroll for all those who are present in the Synagogue. If one is unable to attend, a private reading should be arranged. Contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch center.
The Al Hanisim prayer is added in the evening Amida.

Purim Day
Tuesday, March 10 which is 14 Adar
The Al Hanisim prayer is added in the Amida.
Special Torah Reading
Megilla reading
Giving of Mishloach Manot - food gifts
Matanot L'evyonim - Charity to the poor
Festive meal in the afternoon after Mincha services. If one is unable to attend the synagogue, a special Megilla reading should be made at their location. Contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch center.

Shushan Purim
Wednesday, March 11 which is 15 Adar
This day is celebrated as Purim Day in Jerusalem.
No Tachnun said.

"Purim is the festival that commemorates the breathtaking victory over the murderous designs of Haman. It is observed on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar. In the event that there are 2 months of Adar (as this year 5763 - 2003) - due to the reconciliation of the Jewish Calendar which is Lunar and the secular/world calendar which is Solar, - Purim is celebrated in the second Adar. This joyous festival reveals the hidden Hand of G-d in the events of man. It is a day to be celebrated by the entire family -- not only adults and boys and girls past Bar/Bas Mitzvah, but youngsters too should be encouraged to fulfill the mitzvot of Purim." Taken from: http://www.sichosinenglish.org/cgi-bin/calendar?holiday=purim11

I pray you have a turnaround in your life this Purim festival.
Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

“Pay Attention to Me…My system is stronger than ever.”

2009-01-04T19:33:00.002-06:00

A Prophecy Kenneth Copeland gave in October to help us in troubled times!

“Pay Attention to Me…My system is stronger than ever.”

Don’t pay attention to or make any plans based on what the media says or what the politicians say. Stand on My Word in John 16. Pay attention to Me. I [the Holy Spirit] will obey verses 13-15. I will show you things to come. I will lead you through troubled times. I already have THE plan for you, and it’s very good. Follow it. It will not only get you through, it will place you in a very high place—a rich place—a strong place of victory.

You will have to discipline yourself and be diligent to listen to Me. All the other voices will have a plan, a word, an idea for your future and security. Don’t listen to Babylon’s system. It has fallen apart. My system is stronger than ever. My kingdom is flourishing, and THE BLESSING is the place to be.

Keep your eyes on My Word. Listen to it. It will guide you and I will perform it. Love Me. Love My people as I have loved you. Walk in it. Love never fails, and neither does My plan. Be very cautious to stay completely clean from covetousness. First Timothy 6:10 must live in the forefront of your thinking. If you will do these things and continue therein, you will come into your wealthy place. A place lifted up. A place in Me already planned and prepared for you now. Here. Not heaven—not yet. But it will seem like heaven right in the midst of all the trouble, and you’ll be able to reach out to untold numbers of suffering people with the Good News of the gospel.

I’m coming very soon. Sooner than you think. Keep your eyes on Me and you’ll get the job done."
—Prophecy delivered by Kenneth Copeland Oct. 19, 2008

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

What About 2009?

2009-01-04T19:20:00.003-06:00

Each year God gives Kenneth Copeland a word about the upcoming year and this is what is posted on their website: www.kcm.org

"2009—THE GLORY WILL SHINE!
Well what about 2009? Shall it be a time of darkness? Or shall this be a place where the Glory shines? Yes, the Glory is here. The Glory has come and things in 2009 that you thought were absolutely never, ever going to come to pass are going to happen so smoothly and so easily you’re going to say, "My, my, my, I don’t see why I ever was disturbed about that. Why, Glory to God!"

And it’s going to increase and increase and increase. And before the end of 2009 you won’t be able to recognize yourself or your nation, because the Spirit of the Living God will be moving in ways that you’ve only dreamed about up till now and you’ll be on your way to more wonderful and greater things.

That’s the word of the Lord that came to me. Praise the Lord!."

So praise God and print this out and remember it daily and watch it come to pass!
Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Esther's Book Review

2008-12-21T17:35:00.003-06:00

The Big Book of Christmas Joy: An Inspirational Treasury to Celebrate the Season

by Howard Brooks

"Celebrate the magical world of Christmas with heartwarming tales of holiday joy that will delight every Christmas lover.The meaning and wonder of the season come to life in The Big Book of Christmas Joy. Perfect for the whole family, The Big Book of Christmas Joy is stocking-stuffed full of Christmas stories, cheerful trivia, and enlightening Scripture. This charming keepsake volume is sure to enhance the home holiday atmosphere with its beautiful cover, eye-catching two-color interior, and 320 pages of inspirational stories and holiday trivia. Chock-full of festive facts, delicious recipes, beautiful poetry and Scripture, along with the amazing account of the birth of Jesus Christ, The Big Book of Christmas Joy is a true reminder of the Christmas spirit that will be treasured throughout the winter season and for years to come." Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Click here to order. Now that we are converting from a website ezine to a blog there will no longer be a cost involved in running Esther's Legacy so all proceeds from any donations or book orders will go to the orphanage, Migdal Ohr.

Let the Destiny in You Arise!!

Esther's Legacy Has Turned Into a Blog!!!

2008-12-18T13:58:00.000-06:00

Well, we all have to get updated sometime so this is the time for Esther's Legacy to change it's ways!!! From now on it is a blog which will make it more fluid and not as static. Readers can leave comments and have more input. There won't be a separate book collection page but we will still have the Esther's Book Review in the sidebar. I hope everyone stays connected and comments on the articles and people who get posted!!
Blessings on you at Christmas and the upcoming New Year!
Claudia Givens
Editor/Founder
Esther's Legacy